MANILA, Philippines—The Department of National Defense on Friday completed negotiations with a Korean aerospace company for a squadron of FA-50 lead-in fighter trainer jets, bringing the Philippine military a step closer to returning to the supersonic age after nearly a decade of relying on helicopters and fixed-wing, propeller-type aircraft.

Sadly thats the typical belief of misinformed local politicians. The FA-50 is primarily a LIFT (Lead-In Fighter Trainer) i.e. essentially an advanced supersonic trainer with light strike capability, We still need a Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) which is next on the list.

The Philippine Air Force will have supersonic capabilities as its first two jet fighters ordered from South Korea will arrive at Clark Air Base in Pampanga on Friday.

“This is historic because this is the first time we will have jet fighters since we decommissioned our jets in 2005. It will be the first time we will have a supersonic capability,” said Air Force spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya on Tuesday.

The two-seater fighter jets will be piloted by Korean pilots. An official turnover will be held later on, said Canaya.

The Philippine Air Force will have supersonic capabilities as its first two jet fighters ordered from South Korea will arrive at Clark Air Base in Pampanga on Friday.

“This is historic because this is the first time we will have jet fighters since we decommissioned our jets in 2005. It will be the first time we will have a supersonic capability,” said Air Force spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya on Tuesday.

The two-seater fighter jets will be piloted by Korean pilots. An official turnover will be held later on, said Canaya.